How to get proof of your no claims bonus in the UK
You can get proof of your no claims bonus by contacting your previous insurer directly or downloading your renewal or cancellation documents, which usually include your no claims history in writing.
When you switch car insurers, your new provider will almost always ask for proof of your no claims bonus (NCB) within a few weeks of starting the policy. It’s their way of confirming that the discount you declared is genuine. Without it, they may remove the discount or even cancel the policy altogether.
Most insurers make this process straightforward. The proof is often attached to your renewal letter, emailed to you when a policy ends, or available in your online account. But complications arise when you’ve changed insurers several times, had a gap in cover, or no longer have access to your old email records.
In those situations, it helps to understand how insurers verify your no claims history, what types of documents they’ll accept, and the time limits for providing them. Getting it right the first time can save you long phone calls, unexpected premium hikes, and the risk of losing your long-earned discount.
This guide explains exactly how to obtain proof, what qualifies as valid evidence, and what to do if your insurer can’t find your record.
What counts as valid proof of a no claims bonus?
Valid proof of your no claims bonus is usually a renewal letter, cancellation letter, or official document from your previous insurer confirming the number of claim-free years in your name.
Insurers want written confirmation that clearly shows your name, policy number, vehicle registration, and the total years of no claims. The document must be on official company letterhead or issued through the insurer’s online portal, and it typically needs to be dated within the last two years.
Different insurers phrase the document differently. Some call it a No Claims Discount Certificate, while others simply note it at the bottom of a renewal notice or cancellation confirmation. All are equally valid if they meet the criteria above.
Digital copies are accepted by most UK insurers, provided the document hasn’t been edited or altered. You can usually upload these through a secure link or email attachment after taking out a new policy.
Accepted forms of proof
| Document Type | Where to Find It | Accepted Format |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal Letter | Sent before your old policy ends | Email or PDF download |
| Cancellation Letter | Sent when you switch or cancel mid-term | PDF, printed, or screenshot |
| No Claims Certificate | Issued on request by your old insurer | Must show years, name, and vehicle |
| Official Insurer Email | Customer services confirmation | Must include contact details and policy reference |
| Online Portal Screenshot | Found in your insurer’s account dashboard | Must clearly display policy dates and NCB years |
Proof can’t come from brokers or comparison sites unless the insurer itself has issued the documentation. Some companies will not accept handwritten notes or third-party confirmations, even from a garage or employer.
If your policy is joint, the proof must show which driver the discount belongs to, as no claims bonuses are awarded per person, not per policy. That distinction often catches people out when couples share a car and alternate whose name the policy sits under.
A valid document is more than a formality; it’s a key piece of your insurance identity. Without it, years of careful driving can disappear from your record in one renewal cycle.
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Get QuotesHow do I request proof from my insurer?
You can request proof of your no claims bonus by contacting your previous insurer directly — either by phone, email, or through your online account — and asking them to issue written confirmation of your claim-free years.
Most insurers are familiar with this request and will send the document within a few working days. If you still have access to your online account, you can often download it instantly under your policy documents or correspondence section. The file usually comes as a PDF titled “No Claims Discount Confirmation” or “Renewal Notice.”
If you’ve already switched insurers, it’s best to contact your old provider’s customer service or retention department. They’ll ask for your previous policy number, your car’s registration, and possibly a few identity checks before emailing the proof.
Example scenario
Imagine you’ve moved from Direct Line to Aviva. Your Aviva policy starts today, but they ask for your NCB proof within 14 days. You contact Direct Line, quote your old policy number, and they email your renewal letter confirming “6 years no claims.” You forward it to Aviva or upload it via their document portal — proof provided, no delay.
If you prefer to make a written request, a short email is enough. Include your full name, date of birth, address, policy number, and vehicle registration, and clearly state you’re requesting official confirmation of your no claims bonus for verification by a new insurer.
Most companies send proof within 48–72 hours, but delays can occur during renewal season or if your policy was cancelled several months earlier. In that case, follow up politely, keeping a record of all correspondence.
Getting your proof early in the renewal process prevents stress later. Treat it like a receipt for your driving record — a small administrative step that keeps your discount secure.
When does proof need to be provided?
Most insurers require proof of your no claims bonus within 7 to 28 days of starting your new policy. If it isn’t received in time, they may remove your discount or cancel your cover.
When you buy a new policy, insurers often apply the no claims discount provisionally until proof arrives. That temporary trust period usually runs for a few weeks, but each insurer sets its own limit. Aviva, for example, allows 21 days. Admiral often asks for proof within 14, while others such as RAC or LV= may give up to 28.
If you’ve switched providers through a comparison site, check your welcome email or policy documents — the deadline will usually appear in bold. Missing that date doesn’t mean you lose all cover immediately, but the insurer can legally increase your premium to the undiscounted rate or void the policy altogether if the proof never arrives.
Here’s a simple way to picture it:
Timeline example
- Day 1: You buy your new policy and declare six years of no claims.
- Day 3–5: Your new insurer sends an email reminding you to upload proof.
- Day 14: The reminder deadline approaches. Your no claims discount remains provisional.
- Day 21–28: If no proof is received, the insurer may remove the discount or suspend the policy.
If you anticipate delays in obtaining proof — for example, if your old insurer is slow to respond — let your new provider know immediately. Many will grant an extension if you explain the situation and can show evidence that you’ve made the request.
It’s also good practice to upload proof as soon as you receive it, even if it’s weeks before renewal. Having it stored in your account prevents issues when you next switch insurer.
These small timeframes catch people out every year, not because they ignore the rule, but because they assume their new insurer will automatically verify it. In most cases, they won’t. The responsibility to provide proof always lies with you.
What if proof can’t be found or is disputed?
If your insurer can’t find or verify your no claims bonus, contact your previous provider and ask for written confirmation, then share it with your new insurer. If both sides disagree, you can escalate it as a complaint or provide alternative evidence.
Disputes usually arise when an insurer’s record doesn’t match yours. Perhaps a claim was logged as “open” even after settlement, or a system update wiped older policy data. Sometimes, the issue is simple — your name was recorded differently, or a joint policy listed the other driver as the main holder.
When this happens, don’t panic. Start by asking your previous insurer for written proof, ideally on official letterhead. If they refuse or delay, you have the right to request a copy under a Subject Access Request (SAR), which forces them to release your data within one month under the UK GDPR.
Your new insurer is required to consider any reasonable documentation you provide. If the problem continues, you can raise a formal complaint and, if unresolved after eight weeks, take the case to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for free review.
Troubleshooting insight: Common dispute triggers
- Your old insurer merged with another company and lost access to archived records.
- A non-fault claim was mislabelled as a fault claim, voiding your discount.
- The no claims proof was sent to an old email or expired portal link.
- Your policy was cancelled early, and the system reset your NCB to zero.
If you’re switching after living abroad, it can be even trickier. Many UK insurers refuse to accept overseas NCB without translation or certification from a recognised body. In these cases, it’s worth asking the new insurer upfront whether they’ll honour foreign proof before purchasing the policy.
Most disputes are solvable with patience and documentation. What matters is persistence and paper trail — the more factual your approach, the faster insurers resolve it.
Do overseas or employer policies count for NCB proof?
Yes, but it depends on the insurer. Some UK insurers accept overseas or company car no claims bonuses, provided you can produce official proof in English that confirms your claim-free driving history.
Not every insurer will recognise an international or employer-backed record, but many now take a pragmatic approach. If you can supply a formal letter from the insurer or fleet manager, written on company letterhead, showing the number of claim-free years, they may apply a partial or full discount.
Overseas proof must be in English and clearly display your name, dates of cover, vehicle registration, and any claims recorded. Where it’s not in English, you may need to include a certified translation. Some insurers also ask for verification that the overseas company is a recognised motor insurer, especially if it’s outside the EU.
Example: Returning from Ireland
A driver returning to the UK after three years in Dublin provides a letter from AXA Ireland confirming “three years claim-free driving.” Aviva UK accepts it in full and applies a 30% discount.
Example: Company car policy
Someone who’s been driving under a corporate fleet policy for five years obtains a letter from their employer’s insurer confirming no at-fault claims in that period. Admiral accepts two years of that history, reducing the premium accordingly.
If you’re in either of these situations, it’s worth contacting potential insurers before buying a policy. Each company has its own acceptance rules, and some may limit how many years they’ll transfer from non-standard sources.
When proof is accepted, keep a copy. Once you switch insurers again, that overseas or employer-issued document becomes your foundation for future NCB evidence. Losing it could mean starting from zero.
How long does proof remain valid?
Proof of your no claims bonus usually remains valid for up to two years from the end date of your last policy. After that, most insurers will no longer honour it.
This expiry period is fairly standard across the UK motor insurance market. The reasoning is simple: risk profiles change over time. If you’ve spent several years off the road, insurers can no longer be confident that your driving record still reflects your skill or habits.
Some companies shorten this to 12 months, while others extend to 24. Aviva, Direct Line, and Churchill typically allow proof that’s up to two years old, but only if there has been no gap in cover. Admiral, meanwhile, limits acceptance to one year if you’ve had no active policy.
If your proof is older than the insurer’s cut-off, you may still be able to negotiate partial credit. For example, a driver with a three-year break might have one or two years reinstated, especially if they can show evidence of holding another licence abroad or using a company car during the gap.
How insurers verify old proof
Insurers now cross-check NCB details through the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) and internal fraud prevention databases. If an older record still matches these data sources, it may be validated automatically. However, paper or email proof older than two years without digital confirmation is rarely accepted.
When in doubt, send your proof anyway. Even if it’s past the usual timeframe, insurers sometimes log it for reference or apply a goodwill discount. The worst that can happen is they decline it, and you continue without the NCB applied.
Ultimately, your no claims proof has a shelf life because driving risk isn’t permanent. It reflects recent behaviour, not history for its own sake. Keeping it current ensures you don’t lose credit for your safe years unnecessarily.
How can you ensure you don’t lose your NCB proof in future?
The best way to protect your no claims proof is to request and store it at the end of every policy, save it digitally in multiple places, and check that it shows the correct details before you switch insurers.
Many drivers lose their discount not through accidents or claims, but through simple admin mistakes. An expired email account, a misplaced letter, or a system migration at an insurer can wipe out years of verified history overnight. Insurers aren’t required to keep old policy records beyond six years, and some purge them far sooner.
The simplest habit is to ask for your proof every year, even if you’re renewing with the same provider. That way, if you later change insurer, you already have an up-to-date copy ready to send. Save it in cloud storage, keep a local backup, and label it with the year and provider name.
If your insurer offers an online account, download the documents before your access expires. Once a policy is cancelled, logins are often locked, and retrieving proof later becomes a drawn-out process.
Some insurers now allow customers to download an official “No Claims Discount Certificate” at any time, which can be reused as long as the details remain current. Even so, it’s wise to keep your own copy — insurers merge, rebrand, and change systems regularly.
Drivers who treat their proof like a tax record rarely face issues when switching providers. In a market driven by data and documentation, keeping a personal archive of your no claims bonus is one of the simplest ways to protect years of careful driving.
Final thoughts
Proof of a no claims bonus isn’t paperwork for the sake of it. It’s evidence of trust earned over time — the measurable reward for years of careful driving. Yet it’s also fragile, and too many drivers lose it through simple oversight.
Insurers see proof as currency. Without it, your claims history might as well not exist. Understanding how that system works allows you to protect what you’ve earned, not just once but every year you renew.
The most experienced drivers tend to be those who handle their admin with the same precision they bring to the road. They keep copies, stay within deadlines, and know who to contact when something goes wrong. It isn’t luck; it’s diligence.
You don’t need insider access to navigate this process. You just need awareness — of what insurers look for, how long records last, and when to step in before a problem starts. Do that consistently, and your no claims bonus becomes more than a discount. It becomes part of your driving identity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Most UK insurers accept digital copies, such as PDFs or emailed renewal notices, provided they clearly show your name, policy number, and years of claim-free driving.
Request it formally by email or post. If they refuse or delay, you can submit a Subject Access Request under UK GDPR to force them to release your data within one month.
No, your bonus moves with you, as long as the policy is in your name and the gap between policies is within the insurer’s accepted timeframe.
No. The no claims bonus belongs to the named driver on the policy, not a spouse, family member, or company colleague.
Yes, unless you have protected no-claims cover. Without protection, one at-fault claim can reduce your discount by several years.
Only if your new UK insurer agrees to recognise it. Provide an official translation and a letter from the overseas insurer confirming the period of cover.
Sometimes. Ask your employer or their insurer for a written statement confirming how long you’ve driven without an at-fault claim. Some UK insurers will accept this partially.
Immediately. Once a policy is cancelled, online access often closes within days, and retrieving records later can take weeks or require a formal request.